I headed out of Huntsville on Sunday around lunch time and made a quick stop in Birmingham to pick up one of my oldest and dearest friends, Tina, and her wonderful husband Chad. Chad is a lover of all things Alabama so needless to say he was more excited than a 5 year old hopped up on sugar who just found out they were going to Disney when I called to say I got the tickets! They were gracious enough to get us a really nice room at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi which is about an hour outside of New Orleans. The drive down went by super fast because we had a lot of catching up to do; so poor Chad had to endure endless yapping from me and Tina. The Beau Rivage is a beautiful hotel and I would recommend it to anyone who is headed down to Biloxi.
We got to “The Big Easy” around 11:30 on Monday morning. We slept in a little because people watching was way too much fun down in the Casino the night before. We valet parked my car at the Hilton and took off on foot to see all the sights. It took us a little bit to get our bearings but before I knew we were crossing the threshold onto Bourbon street and suddenly my nose was filled with an odor that words couldn’t possible do justice. In the great words of Zack Galifinakis, “if a foot could fart” that’s what it would smell like. Bourbon Street is one of the most interesting things I have ever witnessed in my entire life. It is definitely NOT a family friendly environment considering there is a new bar every 10 feet not to mention more Gentlemen Clubs than any street should ever possess and yet I was amazed at the amount of people walking with their children on this street of debauchery.
We then headed over to Jackson Square which was quite lovely and took in all the sights. While standing in front of Andrew Jackson’s statue I was harassed by a boy who couldn’t have been more than 8 or 9 years old. He was wearing a LSU jersey and had a Alabama Elephant hanging by a noose wrapped around his belt loop dragging it on the ground behind him and started screaming “Tiger Bait, Tiger Bait” at me. His dad finally jumped to my rescue and told the boy to calm down that the game hadn’t started yet. I found this very funny but also a little unnerving since I had seen this same boy on Bourbon Street earlier that day. I guess those LSU fans start them out young.
Per Natasha’s recommendations we went to Café Du Monde and ate some beignets and had an iced café au lait. It was absolutely scrumptious!! There were horse drawn carriages, sidewalk artists, people dancing and musicians trying to make a penny all around us. It was all very entertaining. After having dessert we decided to eat an actual meal so we went to Muriel’s and I had the best seafood gumbo I have ever eaten. I will say this, people in NOLA don’t joke around when it comes to food.
We finally headed over to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and that’s when the crowds became almost too much for this girl to handle. I felt like a Crimson fish swimming upstream in a sea of gold and purple. LSU fans are rabid! Not only are they obnoxious they wear the most ridiculous outfits. I thought overalls, toilet paper and a Tide soap box were bad but these people take it to a whole new level. We got some beads thrown our way and no we didn’t have to show our “tickets” as my nieces used to call them when they were little.
Here is where the real fun begins...totally being sarcastic! We finally get in line to enter the superdome and make our way in rather quickly. I am so excited that I can’t see straight and I immediately reach into my purse to get cash for a program only to find my wallet is GONE! Yes that’s right GONE! I panicked for all of 2 minutes and then maintained composure that Janice Bell (mom) would have been very proud of. I was determined this would not ruin my experience and it didn’t. After a few quick calls to cancel credit cards, bank accounts and so on I was back to “fun time” Jackie again. (Natasha's note: for those of you wondering a nice LSU fan found Jackie's wallet, got in touch with her and sent it back. Jackie got it this past Saturday and was planning to send the lady a thank you reward, but there was no return address.)
Unfortunately Tina & Chad were sitting a section over from me but this too didn’t deter me from having the time of my life. I ended up sitting with my boss’s son and became fast friends with the girl to my right. We were high fiving, screaming and hugging each other before the game was over. I have heard from some people who watched the game from home that is was boring to them. Well it’s a whole different story in person. I was terrified it was going to be a kicking game like last time and even though it somewhat started out that way our players played with such heart and soul it brought a tear to my eye. The boys were pumping the crowd up every chance they got and for there to be so few Alabama fans compared to LSU fans it was absolutely amazing how loud we were. When Mosley went down the Alabama section started chanting CJ. When Maze pulled up because of a pulled hamstring you could see concern on all of us Alabama fans. We later watched the replay of the game & it was heartbreaking to see Maze crying on the sidelines knowing this is his last game & he can’t even finish it.
The game was a nonstop adrenaline rush that I will never forget and I am very lucky to have gotten the chance to experience it. We stayed throughout the ceremony and interviews. The streets were full of crimson and white and everyone was in great spirits! This would have been the time to head back to Bourbon Street to celebrate but my feet were killing me and Tina & Chad were ready to get back to the room. I heard more “Roll Tides” during those 2 days than I have ever heard in my life and I have never been more exhausted! It was well worth all the craziness and sleep deprivation. I would do it again in a heartbeat! ROLLLLLLL TIDE ROLL!!
Jackie and Tina
Jackie and Chad
Beignets and Cafe Au Lait
As seen on Bourbon Street
LSU fans on Bourbon Street
2 comments:
Jackie,
So glad you had such a great time!
Thanks! Sorry for the long post I had no idea I was that long winded:)
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